Imitation fabric



Jan. 13, 1948. WURZBURGER 2,434,532

IMITTION FABRIC Filed Sept. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 aaa alf-

TZNEY Jan. 13, 1948. H, WURZBURGER 2,434,532

IMITATION FABRIC Filed Sept. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 la J J5 IN VENTOR. A060 /f//rzawrsf/e fwd@ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1948 vUNITEDSTATES PATENT ori-ica IMITATION FABRIC Hugo 'Wurzbnrgen New York, N. Y.,assignor to Paul D. Wurzburger, Cleveland Heights, Ohio ApplicationSeptember 27, 1944, Serial No. 556,003 (ci. 154-46) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to imitation fabrics and particularly to thosefabrics which are formed at least in part of organic plastic materialmolded in situ without resorting to spinning, weaving,

knitting or other conventional textile methods of forming fabrics.

The prior art has made various attempts at providing imitation fabricsof the type to which the present invention generally pertains anddisclosed, for example, in the United States patent to Bilgge, No.2,276,608, granted March 17, 1942. These fabrics have been formed bymolding synthetic organic plastic material between rolls, one or both ofwhich have been so shaped, as by engraving orotherwise, as to providethe desired configuration for the fabric for simulating textilesproduced by any of the ordinary methods as by weaving, knitting orotherwise.

All such fabrics, whether they simulate cloth woven in any one of theknown ways, knitted material, lace, tulle or other known fabrics,comprise a plurality of threads of simulated filaments which cross oneanother at various points throughout the fabric. Most of the fabrics ofthe prior art which are formed in situ from plastic material rather thanby conventional textile methods are relatively stiff and did notsatisfactorily imitate the desired natural textile material due to thisstiffness and lack of flexibility, primarily because at the crossingpoints the simulated fllaments were usually rigid with one another,either by being formed integral or by adhesion; and no means wereyprovided for relieving this added stiffness by offsetting orcompensating for this additional rigidity.

A primary objectI object of the present invention is to provide animitation fabric of the type above generally set forth, wherein meansare provided for compensating at least in part for the additionalrigidity inherent in this type of fabric by providing particularflexibility for the simulated iilaments intermediate and/oradjacent tothe crossing points. i

A more specic object of the present invention is to provide additionalflexibility to such a fabric specifically by providing reduced portionsor sec-4 tions for the filaments adjacent to the relatively rigidcrossing points.

Filaments having grooves formed therein similar in many respects to theindividual filaments of the fabric of the present invention aredisclosed and claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 595,642,filed May 24, 1945, entitled Imitation filaments, ropes, yarns and thelike.

Other and more detailed objects of the present 2 invention will becomeapparent from the following specification and appended claims and takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is afragmentary diagrammatic enlarged view of an imitation fabric inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;v

Fig. 3 is a section substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an imitation fabric having adifferent type of pattern;

liig. 5 lis a transverse section substantially on line 5-5 of Fig.-4;\

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a. modifiedconstruction;

Figs. 'I and 8 are sectional views similar to Figs. 5 and 6,respectively, showing an imitation fabric having a flat rear face;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 4 showing an imitation fabricformed with simulated filaments which are constricted adjacent to thecrossing points thereof;

Fig. 10 is a section taken substantially along the line lill Il of Fig.9;

' Fig. 11 is a View of another form of an imitation fabric similar toFigs. 1, 4 and 9, but with a simulation of the crossing filaments atdifferent elevations;

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line |2--I2 of Fig. 11;and

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views showing further different typesof imitation fabrics made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, there is shown an imitationfabric simulating a conventional woven fabric, but in which thesimulated warp and weft laments are disposed substantially in the sameplane or section as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3. If we assume, forexample, that the simulated warp filaments are shown at l, then thesimulated weft filaments will be those shown at 2. These iilaments crossat points or zones 3 and may be rigid or integral with one another atsuch points. Where the simulated filaments all lie substantially in thesame plane as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, I contemplate that the entire bodyof the material will be of synthetic organic plastic material, such assome of the materials now in common use in the making of rayon orartificial silk, for example, viscose or cellulose acetate. In this casethe simulated filaments would not be separate and adhesively 3 Joined,but would be integral with one another at their crossing points 3. Thefabric will, however, simulate natural fabric in that it is providedwith holes Il therethrough closely simulating filaments as by usualWoven materials.

An imitation fabric formed in situ without resorting to the usualweaving operation on separate yarns or filaments is ordinarily quiterigid due to the rigid connections between the filaments at theircrossing points; and hence while it might simulate usual fabric inappearance, at least from a distance, it would notbe as flexible asordinary fabric made up of yarns of about the same diameter. In order tooffset or compensate at least in part for this added rigidity incidentto an imitation fabric of this type, I provide the simulated yarns orfilaments at least intermediate their crossing points with one or moregrooves as shown at 5, these grooves extending at a substantial angle tothe axis of the simulated filaments, rather than parallel thereto, andpreferably extending at least one-third of the way around thecircumference of the filaments. In the specific embodiment shown in Fig.1, for example, the grooves 5 are substantially parallel helicalgrooves, which is a preferred embodiment of the invention in thisrespect, as it not only provides for added flexibility for the imitationfabric as a whole, but also tends to simulate the appearance of usualdoubled and twisted yarn or filaments produced by known twisting andspinning operations.

In Figs. 4 and 5 there is shown an imitation fabric having a slightlydifferent pattern, that is, it has simulated warp filaments I as before,but the simulated weft filaments 6 are formed by two simulated parallelfilaments before apparent reversal in respect to the simulated warplaments I. In this figure some reference numbers are used for partscorresponding respectively to the corresponding parts of previousfigures. Here, however, the crossing points of the simulated filamentsare of greater thickness in cross-section as best shown at l, Fig. 5,the total thickness at the crossing points preferably being less thanthe sum of the ordinary thicknesses or diameters of filaments crossingat such points, but greater than the thickness or diameter of either ofsuch individual filaments. This is a preferred construction to simulatethe appearance of the ordinary woven fabric with the weave or pattern asgenerally illustrated in Fig. 4 while reducing to some extent thethickness at the crossing points, yet keeping such thickness greatenough so that the appearance of an ordinary fabric is simulated. Thepartial reduction in thickness tends to reduce the rigidity of theimitation fabric as a whole and yet is not so great that the imitationfabric is unduly stiff or rigid. Here again substantially the same novelexpedient set forth in discussing Figs. 1 to 3 may be employed, that is,the simulated filaments I and 6 may have portions at least intermediatethe crossing points provided with a plurality of preferablysubstantially helical grooves, which grooves extend between points whereone simulated filament appears to cross under another, rather thanmerely between crossing points per se as in Figs. 1 to 3. Thus, in thisform of my invention each crossing point will have grooves extendingcompletely across it, the grooves being in one simulated filament ofeach crossing pair on one side of the imitation fabric and in the otherof the simulated crossing filaments on the other side thereof as shownat 8 and 9, respectively, Fig. 5.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a slight variation of the embodiment of theinvention disclosed in Fig. 5. In this case certain of the crossingpoints are thickened to approximately the sum of the total thicknessesor diameters of the simulated filaments crossing at such points asshown, for example, at I0, while other crossing points as shown at I Imay be located substantially in the plane of the fabric similar to thecrossing points 3 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. I contemplate that imitationfabrics having any of the variants disclosed, for example, in Figs. 2, 5and 6 in any desired combination or even other variants as hereinafterset forth may be employed in accordance with the present invention forthe purpose of simulating different types of fabrics and for producingimitation fabrics with different decorative effects.

In Figs. 7 and 8 there are shown different modifications of imitationfabrics with various types of crossing points for the laments thereof,but in both these figures the entire imitation fabric will have a fiatrear side as shown at I2. Such a fabric may be produced, for example, byan apparatus and a method as shown in United States Patent to Foltzer,No. 1,133,548, patented March 30, 1915, wherein the rear side of thefabric is formed against a smooth drum, it being understood. of course,that the present invention includes certain principles herein disclosedin respect to reducing the stiffness of the fabric, which are notdisclosed in said Foltzer patent. In Fig. 7 there is shown a form of theinvention wherein each of the crossing points I l is increased inthickness in respect to the ordinary thickness of the simulatedfilaments, the total thickness being substantially the sum of thethicknesses of the crossing filaments. Here again the grooves areextended across the crossing points in the filament which appears to lieabove the other as shown at I4.

In Fig. 8 certain only of the crossing points are increased in thicknessas shown at I3, while others of the crossing points I5 are of the samethickness as the individual simulated crossing filaments and the groovesextend across one or the other of the simulated crossing filaments asshown at Il.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown another of the principal expedients ofthe present invention for reducing the stiffness of the imitationfabric, specifically by providing constricted portions between thoseportions of the simulated nlaments intermediate the crossing points andthe points where they cross other such filaments. As shown particularlyin these figures there are simulated warp filaments I6 and wef-tfilaments I1. The pattern or weave being simulated in this case issubstantially that shown in Fig. 4, that is, two parallel weft filamentsare disposed between the warp filaments prior to the apparent reversalof the warp filaments for the next pair of weft filaments. The crossingpoints in the formA of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 arearranged substantially in the plane of the imitation fabric, similar -tothe imitation fabric shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, so that the crossingpoints are only about the same thickness as the main portions of theindividual simulated filaments assumed to cross at such points. Here,however, the simulated filaments are provided with reduced diameter orconstricted portions as indicated at Ill adjacent to the crossingpoints. This provides added flexibility adjacent to each of the crossingpoints and thus tends to offset or compensate for the stiftening effectupon the fabric of the crossing points thereof. As previously describedin connection with other figures, there will be a plurality of aperturesbetween the simulated .warp and weft filaments, which preferably extendcompletely through the fabric, the size and shape of these aperturesdepending, of course, upon the type of pattern or weave or fabric whichis being simulated.

In Figs. 11 and 12 there is shown another type of imitation fabric whichmay be desirable in certain instances. Here the fabric simulated is onehaving a plurality of warp filaments I9 with simulated weft filaments 20and 2| not apparently woven between the warp filaments, but merelylaying across them on both sides thereof respectively and integrally oradhesively joined thereto. In this case it is contemplated that the warpfilaments i9 may be either of some type of synthetic plastic materialthe same or different than the simulated weft finaments 20 and/or 2| orthe warp filaments may be of any known textile material including suchordinary threads as cotton, wool, linen or other known materials. Theweft filaments 20 and 2i are rigid with the warp filaments I9 at theircrossing points, which may be effected either by the process of makingthem of 'the material of the simulated weft filaments, which ispreferably of synthetic organic plastic material as hereinabove setforth andl which will adhere thereto or penetrate thereinto; or eitherone or both may be provided with adhesive material to affect -rigidJoints at the crossing points. As lshown in Fig. 12 the weft filamentsare so formed that pairs of simulated weft filaments will lay oppositeone another on opposite sides of warp filaments and will weld with eachother and with the warp filaments preferably in the process of makingthe fabric. To thislend the simulated weft filaments 20 and 2| will besubstantially semi-circular on their outside contour and will beprovided witha plurality of grooves as herein- 4 above set forth, whichare preferably substantially parallel and helical as shown. They willalso have portions extending between the warp filaments and into contactwith one another as shown at 22 and 23 and will weld on a line indicatedgenerally at 2l. .c

In Fig. 13 there is shown another embodiment of the invention similar inmany respects as that shown in Figs. 11 and 12, but with the exceptionthat the crossing points 25 between the warp filaments 28 and thesimulated weft filaments 21 are increased in thickness to substantiallythe sum of the ordinary thicknesses of the warp and weft filaments. Theportions intermediate the crossing points shown at 28 are preferablyreduced to the single thickness of the individual weft filaments 2l. Theseveral simulated weft filaments may be provided with grooves in any ofthe ways described.

In Fig. 14 is shown a cross-section of a fabric, which is essentiallythe same as the showing of Fig. 5 with the exception that the section istaken at a different point in the fabric, i. e., between the simulatedweft filaments rather than centrally through such filament. The warpfilaments are shown at 29 and a simulated weft filament is shown at 30,there being crossing points 3| as shown, which extend to one side onlyof the general plane of the fabric, alternate crossing points extendingtoward opposite sides thereof, so that the fabric has in effect no rightand wrong sides. This is also a useful characteristic of several of thefabrics previously described. Here again the grooves vextend across thecrossing points of the simulated filaments which appears Nto lie abovethe other in a way that can be formed by mating calender rolls by whichthe fabric is adapted to be made.

In Fig. 15 there is shown an imitationvfabric in which the warpfilaments 32 all lie continuously in the same plane, while the simulatedweft filaments 33 are formed therebetween in a sinuous fashion. Thisimitation fabric is similar to that 4 shown in the Biigge patent abovereferred to. In this case, however, the simulated weft filaments 33 areprovided with grooves as previously described and as shown at 3l. Asshown in this figure only the weft filaments are so provided withgrooves, which is one possible modification of the present invention.Also this form of the invention is applicable to a situation wherein thewarp filaments are of known textile materials as set forth in connectionwith Figs. 11 and l2, while the simulated weft filaments are ofsynthetic organic plastic material formed in situ.

I not only contemplate completed imitation fabrics made in accordancewith my present lnvention as described above, but also that individualfilaments having grooves therein may be formed in substantially themanner above set 4 forth and will embody and form a part of the presentinvention. Such novel filaments may be made up into fabrics by any ofthe known ways including weaving, knitting or otherwise. Such individualfilaments are similar in appearance to those illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, for example, the weft filaments 20 of Fig. 1l,wherein there are a plurality of substantially helical grooves extendinguniformly along at least one side of the filaments. I contemplate,however, that such grooves might be formed on both sides if desired andthat these grooves would, as above set forth, provide a filament whichwould render a fabric made therefrom quite iiexlble and thus carry outmany of the objects of this invention in regard to fabrics and alsowould tend to simulate the appearance of known doubled and twistedfilaments or yarn. In this way a singlefilament complete in itself andready for use could be formed as a single continuous thread, rather thanfrom a large number of individual filaments twisted together as is nowcommon in the rayon industry. The subject matter of the individualfilaments described in this paragraph is not claimed herein but isdescribed andclaimed in my co-pending application. Ser. No. 595,642,above referred to, which is a continuation-impart of the presentapplication.

Thus there is described herein a number of modifications or embodimentsof the present invention illustrating how the principles thereof can beapplied in different ways and different combinations. In all of them.however, at least a part of the simulated' filaments are provided withone or more grooves intermediate the rigid crossing points uwith othersuch filaments, which tend to 'offset or compensate for the stiifeningeffect of the rigid crossing points. These grooves extend at asubstantial angle to the axes of the' filaments and are preferablyhelical and substantially parallel to one another. The grooves extend ineach instance at least about one-third of the way around each individualfilament, as can be formed by suitably engraved or otherwise shapedcalender rolls, by which it is contemplated the simulated filaments andthe imitation fabrics as a whole can be made. The helical groovessimulate the appearance of natural doubled and twisted textile fibers oryarn, so that the fabric as a whole has an appearance of a conventionalfabric made by Weaving, knitting or otherwise. The constricted portionsof the filaments adjacent to the crossing points shown in Figs. 1l andl2 may be considered as grooves extending transverse to the axis of thefilaments and hence come within the broad definition of applicantsinvention in this respect.

While I have shown and described herein a number of embodiments of thepresent invention, I do not Wish to be limited to these specificembodiments or any of them, but merely by the scope of the appendedclaims, which are to be construed validly as broadly as the state of theprior art permits.

What is claimed is:

l. A flexible unwoven fabric, formed integrally in situ, simulating afabric made of distinct filaments, and composed of synthetic organicplastic.'

material, the portions simulated crossing points of the parts of thefabric simulating filaments being integral and homogeneous and lyingsubstantially in the plane of the fabric, and said portions being solelyconvex in any plane perpendicular to the plane of the fabric, saidfabric having in each of the simulated filaments at least intermediatethe simulated crossing points thereof, at least one groove which extendsat least one-third of the Way around the filaments and serves to impartexibility to the fabric by tending to compensate for the stiffeningeffect of the integral crossing points, said grooves further beingformed solely as indentations from at least one face of the fabric, soas to impart fiexibility thereto as to bending in any direction, whileretaining the resistance of the fabric against distortion in the planethereof substantially unimpaired.

2. A exible imitation unwoven fabric formed integrally in situ andsimulating a fabric made of distinct filaments and composed of syntheticorganic plastic material, the parts of said fabric simulating filamentsbeing integral at their crossing points and having at least one grooveintermediate each of said crossing points and extending at least aboutone-third of the way around the filaments and serving to impartfiexibility to the fabric by tending to compensate for the stieningeffect of the integral crossing points, said grooves further beingformed solely as indentations from at least one face of the fabric so asto impart flexibility thereto as to bending in any direction, whileretaining the resistance of the fabric against distortion in the planethereof substantially unimpaired, wherein the plastic filaments areconstricted adjacent to the crossing points thereof to. reduce thestiffening effect on the fabric of the rigid crossing points.

3. A flexible imitation unwoven fabric formed integrally in situ andsimulating a fabric made of distinct filaments and composed of syntheticorganic plastic material, the parts oi.' said fabric simulatingfilaments being integral at their crossing points and having at leastone groove intermediate each of said 'crossing points and extending atleast about one-third of the Way around the filaments and serving toimpart flexibility to the fabric by tending to compensate for thestill'- ening effect of the integral crossing points, said groovesfurther'being formed solely as indentations from vat leastone face-ofthe fabric so as to impart flexibilityzthereto as to bending in anydirection, while retaining the resistance of the fabric againstdistortion in the plane thereof substantially unimpaired, wherein eachof said filaments of organic plastic material is constricted adjacent toeach of the crossing points thereof with other filaments, and whereineach of the portions of the plastic filaments intermediate said crossingpoints is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel helicalgrooves.

HUGO WURZBURGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,133,548 Foitzer Mar. so, 19151,867,298 Zart et al July 12, 1932 2,334,754 Dreyfus Nov. 23, 19432,318,120 Whitehead May 4, 1943 2,294,966 Dreyfus Sept. 8, 1942

